Sanctions on Palestinian Authority would be harmful,with negative effect
Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 1/29/2002

Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher excluded any US sanctions against the Palestinian Authority (PA) and said if this happens, it would be "harmful and negative".

In press statements Monday, Maher said Egypt is maintaining contacts with the US to point out the dangers of such a measure.

"I believe the US is anxious to boost the peace process,and it has to realize that such a step, anticipated by newspapers, would be unuseful," Maher said.

Asked about meetings of Israeli Premier Ariel Sharon 's political affairs advisor Danny Ayalon in Cairo on Sunday, Maher said the meetings were an attempt to clarify Israeli stances and show good intentions.

"Deeds not words are the things that matter," Maher said ,referring to the harmful Israeli polices and acts of aggression against the Palestinian people and the unacceptable restrictions on the Palestinian leadership.

Maher said Israel has not responded to Egypt's call for allowing Palestinian President Yasser Arafat to attend the Arab summit, due in Beirut on March 27-28.

On the US hardline attitude towards Arafat, Maher voiced belief that the US is well aware of the necessity of peace for its own interests.

He added that the Arab and Egyptian stance over this issue is quite evident and the US would take this into consideration.

Asked about the UN role, Maher spoke of a barrier blocking the Security Council from handling such issues.

But the UN is concerned with the Middle East issue as Secretary General Kofi Annan has a Middle East envoy that does his best to overcome the current tough phase.

"The UN and its resolutions are the basis of the peace process," Maher said.

On statements made by Israeli officials who call on the US not to take Arab and Egyptian warnings into consideration, Maher said, "the Americans know that when we provide them with an analysis of the situation, it is always sober and accurate.

When it comes to true words or analysis, the Egyptians and Arabs are always in the lead as the Israelis' proved to be baseless," Maher added.

He described the situation as very dangerous, asserting that Israeli actions are pouring more oil on the fire.

Asked about fears of any measures by Sharon on AL Haram Al Qudsi, Maher said there have always been warnings on the gravity of such measures.

Previous Stories:
  Israel violates signed agreements every day, every minute   (1/28/2002)
  Coordination continued between Mubarak, PA   (1/26/2002)
  Egypt renews need for resumption of Israeli-Palestinian political negotiations   (1/16/2002)

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